Pakistan's bowlers pushed West Indies to the brink on the third day of the second Test in Port of Spain, reducing the hosts to 103 for six in their second innings by the close of play. West Indies' lead has been trimmed to just 60 runs with only four wickets standing, leaving Pakistan needing four more wickets on Wednesday to close out the match.
Shafique's Unbeaten Ton Hands Pakistan a First-Innings Edge
The day had begun brightly for Pakistan. Opener Abdullah Shafique remained unbeaten on 160 as the visitors were bowled out for 387 in reply to West Indies' first-innings total of 344, giving them a 43-run lead. West Indies left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican kept that lead from growing further, finishing with figures of six for 112.
Chanderpaul and Hodge's Fightback Undone by Pakistan's Spinners
In West Indies' second innings, openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul (17) and Kevem Hodge (34) added 40 runs for the first wicket, all but wiping out Pakistan's slender lead. For a while it looked like West Indies would negotiate the rest of the day without further trouble, but Pakistan's spinners then turned the match on its head.
Off-spinner Sajid Khan finished with four for 32, while Ali Usman picked up two wickets for 29 runs. Sajid struck first, removing Chanderpaul and then Amir Jangoo for 13. Shai Hope and captain Roston Chase then steadied the innings, taking the score to 99 for three, and at one stage it appeared West Indies would end the day without losing another wicket.
The final five overs changed everything. Sajid dismissed Shai Hope for 15 before trapping Jayden Seales lbw. Off the last ball of the day, Chase, batting on 17, lost concentration and gave Ali Usman a simple catch, leaving West Indies six down for 103.
Babar Azam Falls Short of a Century After 183-Run Stand
Pakistan captain Babar Azam had a frustrating day of his own. He was closing in on his first Test century in four years but was run out for 88, having built a crucial 183-run partnership with Abdullah Shafique. Pakistan were still trailing by 63 runs in the first innings at the moment he was dismissed. West Indies' Brandon King was injured while attempting the run-out, raising doubts over whether he will take the field in the second innings.
Warrican's Late Burst Wraps Up the Pakistan Innings
Earlier, Jomel Warrican had troubled Pakistan's batting with both the old and new ball, dismissing Aves Zafar for just one run. Shamar Joseph then had Salman Ali Agha lbw, before Warrican struck again with the new ball to bowl Mohammad Rizwan for 18, his third wicket of the innings. Warrican went on to take Pakistan's last three wickets in the space of just four balls, bowling the visitors out for 387.
West Indies Still Lead the Series
West Indies already hold a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series after winning the first Test by 90 runs. Pakistan now have a genuine chance to level the series and register their first away Test win since 2023 if they can take West Indies' remaining four wickets on Wednesday.
